Cottingham walks

This walk includes three counties and starts from the attractive village of Lyddington in Rutland before continuing through pleasant countryside in Leicestershire and Northamptonshire. The route includes the villages of Stockerston, Great Easton, Rockingham and Gretton. The walk also includes a section of the Jurassic Way.

This lengthy Leicestershire walk visits the rolling landscape to the south-east of Tugby to reach the village of Hallaton. The route turns west following the Leicestershire Round footpath to Glooston from where a return to the starts is made through Noseley and Rolleston. The walk follows generally well-marked paths and bridleways.

Seven miles of glorious Northamptonshire countryside through 3 attractive villages and passing by the impressive Drayton Hall.

This Rutland walk follows a clockwise route around the Hambleton Peninsula created in 1976 when the reservoir initially opened. The route uses concessionary paths for much of the way. Views across the Reservoir can be enjoyed throughout.

A linear Leicestershire walk which uses paths and bridleways to explore the countryside to the south and east of the Billesdon. Return to the start can be made using Centrebus route 747 which has a regular service between Skeffington and Billesdon.

Enjoy the open views over farmland in East Northamptonshire and view parts of RAF Molesworth (from a distance).

This circular walk to the east of Leicester follows a section of the Leicestershire Round. The walk visits the villages of Somerby, Thorpe Satchville, Owston and, of course, Twyford.

My favourite ramble which begins and ends at St Denys Church, Cold Ashby. This is a proper ramble with both hard and soft surfaces and good views from Honey Hill.

This Leicestershire walk explores the countryside and villages to the southeast of Countesthorpe. The route includes a section of the Leicestershire Round long distance footpath.

A pleasant amble through the Leicestershire countryside that lies to the south of Countesthorpe. The route visits the village of Peatling Magna before heading north back to the start.

This walk follows the River Welland firstly along Torpel Way then crossing close to Stamford and returning along other bank. This is a lovely walk in late April/early May. Look out for fields of cowslips on the left of the path. Bird life associated with river can be seen.

Lovely walk from The Bertie Arms in Uffington to Burghley House, returning via the river Welland.

A lengthy Northamptonshire walk that explores the countryside to the north-west of Northampton. The route uses a section of the Jurassic Way, the towpath of Grand Union Canal, fields paths and country lanes. Winwick is a small rural community of some 40 souls, according to their website, situated off the A428 north of West Haddon and west of Northampton.

This walk starts and finishes at an excellent pub, The Bluebell Inn, Helpston (PE6 7ED). There are mainly field paths and tracks and a small amount on minor roads. An interesting wild flower meadow existed with quite rare butterflies between WM1 and WM2.

Great walk around Ferry Medows in Nene Park. Lots of wildlife to see.

This walk starts and finishes at Northcutt's Garden Centre (PE2 5UU) which has an excellent restaurant. It encompasses walking around Overton and Gunwade lakes nearly all on hard footpaths.

This Leicestershire walk starts from the attractive village of Rearsby and explores the countryside and villages lying to the east. The route also includes a section of the Leicestershire Round.

Using the car park for Woodman and golf club (free to use if you have a drink at the Woodman), follow Bluebell Wood to cross the river Nene and then up to Gunwade Lake. Cross the bridge to follow Overton Lake, continue to cross Bluebell Bridge and back to the car park. Depending on the time of year, you can see bluebells (April/May) and many migratory birds on lakes in Autumn and Winter.

This walk is about 5.5 miles long, starting and ending at the village of Hoby. There are fine views across the undulating Leicestershire countryside from the elevated ground near Ragdale Hall. The route and footpaths are well maintained with visible waymarkers and only a few stiles. Most paths are across crop or pasture fields but note some fields may contain bullocks depending on the time of year.

Nice walk from Etton using minor roads and bridleways to reach Maxey, then returning to Etton via roads in northern Cambridgeshire. Excellent views over the pools from the gravel pits and the observation stations give views of water birds like Greylag Geese.

This walk starts at the car park by Market Deeping shopping centre, leads you to lovely Castle End in Maxey, before returning on a footpath along the River Welland. Lovely views and history of the Maxey area with 4000 years of history (more in the practical information section below).

Short walk on roads and field paths from the Waggon & Horses pub car park. (PE6 9LW) If you are going to park at the pub please let the landlord know Tel: 01778 343200

This walk starts in the car park of The Black Horse in Baston, Lincolnshire. A gentle walk on minor roads and field paths with excellent views across the flat farmland. On returning to Baston it is worth a look at the church of St. John, founded in 1235.

This walk starts and finishes at The Horseshoe public house, excellent food. Lovely countryside walk on footpaths, minor roads and short stretch on A15.

Taking in the road walking along the A45 but with nice views of rolling countryside, a saunter along the Grand Union, (there's a memorial bench under the A45 to rest and lunch and keep dry), and then heading off the canal towards the village of Dodford with a Grade 1 listed church to visit. Parking at the village hall or opposite the church.

Walk from Grafham Water Visitor Centre to Over, visiting Brampton, Godmanchester, Houghton, Hemingford Abbots, Hemingford Grey and St. Ives.

A 9km walk, starting and finishing at the Geese and Fountain.

A North Bedfordshire walk along the Ouse Valley Way between Oakley and Carlton taking in the charming villages of Pavenham, Sharnbrook, and Odell. Follow the river from Oakley through to Stevington where The Ouse Valley Way is clearly waymarked all the way through to Carlton Although the Ouse Valley Way does not actually go into Oakley, there is a convenient bus stop here that links the two ends to this walk. The bus stop is a mile or so from the river, from where there is a footpath which joins the official route at Stevington and then winds its way through the rolling Bedfordshire countryside. There's plenty to see and explore along the route with medieval river bridges, the Holywell at Stevington, the ghostly tales of Odell and the picturesque villages of Pavenham, Radwell, Sharnbrook, and Harrold.

This is a good walk at any time but really good in spring when the bluebells are out in Badby Woods and butterflies are exploring the hedgerows. The route passes through some scenic Northamptonshire villages and includes small stretches of the Nene and Knightley Ways.

Country walk with a halfway treat. Pass through open countryside alongside streams and through woods. Finish up with a pub lunch or refreshing drink at the Pheasant pub.

A riverside walk along the Ouse Valley Way between Bedford and St Neots. Despite the increasing urbanisation between Bedord and St Neots, the riverside sections of this walk provide some pleasant rambles. Particularly notable is the 15th century river bridge at Great Barford and the riverside parks at St Neots.

This is a pleasant walk through the Bedfordshire countryside with a variety of scenery and some interesting points of interest along the way.

This is a thoroughly enjoyable walk with lots of variety, all on the more elevated parts of Bedfordshire. The fields are open so there are plenty of views, but there are stretches of woodland, three interesting villages and plenty of wildlife. It is no more than a guess, but I would think keen bird watchers might find it worthwhile to tote field glasses. At worst it will give them a closer look at the aerobatics over Biggleswade airfield.